Lateral DNA Transfer Mechanisms and Consequences

The fluidity of an organism's DNA is underappreciated. Surprisingly often, DNA is transferred from one organism to another, to become stably incorporated and permanently change the recipient's genetic composition. This process is called "lateral" or "horizontal" transfer, in contrast with the "vertical" inheritance of genes by parental descent. This is a book about how lateral transfer occurs, the extent to which it happens, and its implications for our understanding of biology. Whole genome sequencing has begun to reveal an extensive role for lateral DNA transfer in genome evolution. The molecular machinery used to transfer DNA is coming into focus and the transfer process is now known to be at work in the emergence of new infections that threaten human populations. Lateral DNA Transfer: Mechanisms and Consequences is a readable synthesis that will intrigue and educate biologists in many fields, from students to established investigators.